FLATHEAD, BLUE SPOTTED (EASTERN)

B, F, S -

FLATHEAD, BLUE SPOTTED (EASTERN)

Scientific Name: 
Platycephalus caeruleopunctatus
Fish Group: 
Flathead
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Blue Spotted Flathead; FLATHEAD, BLUE SPOTTED (EASTERN)
Rating: 
Countries: 
Australia
Description: 
Blue Spotted (eastern) flathead is a eastern Australian flathead found mostly offshore
How To Identify: 
Closely related to the Southern Blue Spotted Flathead. This flathead is either a fawny/sandy colour with white spots or if darker the spots can appear blue. Can grow to about 70cm.
How To Catch: 
All flathead are opportunistic feeders and typically lie in wait on drop offs where small bait fish and other crustaceans wash over with the tide. Flathead camouflage themselves on the bottom (as you can tell from their shape) and bury themselves in the sand or mud waiting to ambush their prey. Flathead in the most part were targeted with live bait and this is one of the most productive ways to target flathead. Live small fish such as poddy mullet are excellent, however they will take most baits and always a welcome catch for the angler fishing for whiting or bream. However they also readily take lures and are probably one of the first fish caught on a lure by many young anglers. They are a sucker for a well presented soft plastic, and great fun on light tackle. I have also caught many on hard bodied deep divers. When fishing lures (although they will rise to the surface to chase a lure) the best way is to ensure your lures is working along the bottom of the sand or mud.
Where Found: 
Found from Southern Queensland, through New South Wales to Northern Victoria. Prefers sandy bottoms offshore and usually caught by trawler fisherman or line fisherman drifting for snapper.

Quick Index

Back to Fish Wiki